Latest news with #Seal
Miami Herald
35 minutes ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Tesla's Top Rival BYD Ignites EV Pricing War in China
BYD has reignited China's electric vehicle (EV) price war after lowering the price of 22 all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles by up to 34% through the end of June. Subsequently, shares of many Chinese EV makers, including BYD, tumbled. The Seal hybrid sedan saw the most significant price cut in BYD's lineup at 34%, lowering its starting cost to $15,000 or 102,800 yuan. However, BYD's price changes don't impact its luxury inventory, which includes the Denza FangChengBao and Yangwang lines. China's IM Motors, Leapmotor, and Geely's Galaxy have also announced price cuts in response to BYD's move. Other key players, like XPeng, Nio, and Li Auto, haven't yet slashed any price tags. European automakers like Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz will likely see further EV sales declines in China after BYD's bold move, given their reluctance to enter the country's new energy vehicle (NEV) price war. Tesla China registrations have also lagged in Q2. BYD has been considered a leader in China's EV price war with its in-house battery production and ability to get volume discounts from suppliers. The automaker is one of China's three profitable EV makers among the country's 50 or so electric car manufacturers. According to Investor's Business Daily, BYD introduced its latest price cuts in response to rising dealer inventories, causing some to wonder whether China's NEV push is losing steam. Chinese officials have also been investigating the possibility of zero-mileage car sales, where automakers pad their delivery numbers by reporting vehicles as sold that are being distributed to finance companies and used auto dealers, Clean Technica reports. In other words, Chinese automakers might be recording zero-mileage cars as sold when end users haven't purchased them. A slowdown in NEV sales would be a significant concern among Chinese officials regarding the country's economic goals and environmental sustainability. New price cuts from BYD also stem from the automaker's desire to reach 5.5 million sales this year, representing a 1.5 million increase from 2024. BYD's U.S. stocks declined 9.75% on Tuesday after the company's pricing announcement, while XPeng, Nio, and Li Auto's U.S. shares fell 3.8%, 4.1%, and 2.6%, respectively, according to Investor's Business Daily. Close to half of all China's new car sales are all-electric and PHEV, Electrek reports. By comparison, less than 10% of U.S. new vehicle sales are NEVs. Victor Sun, senior equity analyst at Morningstar, said he expects BYD to: "Offset the impact [of its discounts] via larger sales scale and [its] battery cost staying low," according to CNBC. Market reactions to BYD's discounts reflect how investors are nervous about an escalating EV price war in China and increased scrutiny from the country's regulators regarding sales numbers. In April, China's EV discounts reached a record high of 16.8%, and it appears this figure will climb higher in May. BYD, Seres, and Li Auto are the only three Chinese EV makers currently profitable, and an intensifying price war is setting the stage for an industry shakeout where smaller competitors will likely go under or get bought out by competitors. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Associated Press
4 hours ago
- Business
- Associated Press
2Morrow Awarded DiMe Seal, Recognized for Excellence in Digital Behavior Change
'At 2Morrow, we believe that behavior change tools should be grounded in science, accessible to all, and built to scale. This recognition challenges all of us to keep raising the bar.'— Jo Masterson, CEO of 2Morrow KIRKLAND, WA, UNITED STATES, June 3, 2025 / / -- 2Morrow has been named a recipient of the DiMe Seal, a new standard of excellence developed by the Digital Medicine Society (DiMe) in collaboration with Elevance Health. The Seal recognizes digital health software products that meet rigorous standards for clinical strength, usability, privacy, and equity. With over 337,000 digital health apps available globally, the need for clarity and quality assurance has never been greater. The DiMe Seal was created to provide healthcare leaders with a trusted signal, identifying solutions that are not only innovative, but also backed by meaningful evidence and ready for real-world impact. 'The DiMe Seal is helping redefine how digital health earns trust,' said Jo Masterson, CEO of 2Morrow. 'We're proud to be part of this movement toward greater transparency and rigor. At 2Morrow, we believe that behavior change tools should be grounded in science, accessible to all, and built to scale. This recognition affirms that approach and challenges all of us to keep raising the bar.' Elevating Evidence-Based Digital Care 2Morrow's Breathe Bundle - which includes programs for tobacco cessation, stress, weight, and personal goal setting - is the only multi-program solution of its kind recognized in the inaugural DiMe Seal cohort. Designed to support behavior change at scale, the programs are grounded in evidence-based approaches and principles drawn from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). As part of the evaluation process, which included independent review and clinical input from Elevance Health, one of the nation's largest payers, 2Morrow received a 'Strong' recommendation for its clinical evidence. The assessment highlighted randomized trial results, a transparent evidence base, and strong usability across a broad range of populations. Building a More Trusted Future in Digital Health 2Morrow is proud to be among the first companies to earn this designation and to stand alongside a diverse group of innovators working to define quality in digital health. According to the IQVIA Digital Health Trends 2024 report, only a small fraction of digital health solutions offer published evidence of clinical impact, making initiatives like the DiMe Seal increasingly vital to helping healthcare leaders make confident, informed decisions. 'The influx of innovative digital health software products in our healthcare system can transform how we deliver care, but healthcare leaders need a clear, reliable way to identify which solutions are ready to deliver impact,' said Doug Mirsky, Vice President, DiMe Seal. 'The DiMe Seal offers that clarity, and we're proud to help elevate organizations like 2Morrow that are building products that exemplify the evidence-backed, scalable innovation the healthcare system needs.' The DiMe Seal reflects a broader shift across the healthcare ecosystem: a demand for solutions that don't just promise change, but can prove it. For organizations seeking digital programs that are practical, proven, and ready to implement, the Seal provides a new level of confidence. Learn more about the DiMe Seal here. About 2Morrow: 2Morrow is a leading provider of evidence-based digital behavioral health and wellness solutions, including tobacco cessation. Our efforts in assisting people to quit smoking have consistently yielded positive outcomes, supported by a Phase III randomized controlled trial involving 2,400 participants and more than 12 peer-reviewed publications. Trusted by some of the nation's largest employers, states, and health plans, we've empowered over a million individuals on their journey to improved health, showcasing our dedication to expanding access to care. At 2Morrow, we're committed to using innovative technology and research to drive impactful change and expand access to care. For more information, please visit Deanna Waters 2Morrow [email protected] Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Facebook Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
The Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Unique rotating monarchy
IN a world where monarchs are typically born into power, Malaysia stands out with a unique rotation system where its King is elected from among nine Malay Rulers. Malaysia is one of over 40 nations with a constitutional monarchy, but it is the only one in the world that practises a five-year rotation system. Under this unique system, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is elected from among nine Malay Rulers under the Conference of Rulers through a detailed election process that takes place every five years. Only nine Malay Rulers are eligible to take part in the process, namely the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan, Sultan of Selangor, Raja of Perlis, Sultan of Terengganu, Sultan of Kedah, Sultan of Kelantan, Sultan of Pahang, Sultan of Johor and Sultan of Perak. Several other eligibility criteria that must be met for a Ruler to be appointed as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong are also outlined on the official website of the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal Office. The first is that the Ruler must consent to be elected, and only the nine Malay Rulers may vote. If a Ruler is unable to attend the Election Meeting, he may appoint another Ruler as a proxy to vote on his behalf. Previously, the selection of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong was based on seniority, whereby the Ruler who had reigned the longest was considered the most senior. However, that rule no longer applies since all nine Malay Rulers have taken their turns as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Sultan of Perak Almarhum Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah, who was the ninth Yang di-Pertuan Agong, was the last Ruler to be selected under the original rotation system. After that, the Rulers collectively agreed on a rotation list, which is still used today, based on the order of states whose Rulers had previously served as Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Besides that, Schedule Three of the Federal Constitution and the Regulation of the Conference of Rulers states that a Ruler is not eligible for election if he is a minor or has formally informed the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal that he does not wish to be elected. It adds that a Ruler is also disqualified if the Conference of Rulers, through a secret ballot, determines that he is unfit due to infirmity of mind or body, or for any other reason that would prevent him from fulfilling the role. However, such a resolution must be supported by at least five members of the Conference of Rulers. Schedule Three of the Federal Constitution also provides detailed steps to be taken before the election of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, including for the nine Rulers to agree on the date of the Election Meeting. If both the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong positions become vacant, the election must be held within four weeks from the date the vacancies occur. The Keeper of the Rulers' Seal will then seek the consent of each Ruler to be nominated as either the Yang di-Pertuan Agong or Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Any Ruler who does not wish to be nominated must submit a written notice to the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal, and the state will be moved to the end of the nomination list. When the Conference of Rulers convenes to vote, only the Malay Rulers, the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal and the assistant secretary to the Conference of Rulers are involved in the process. The four Yang di-Pertua Negeri do not attend despite being members of the Conference of Rulers. The election is conducted through a secret ballot using unnumbered papers, all marked with the same pen and ink. The completed ballots are placed into a ballot box and once the result is announced, the papers are destroyed (either burned or shredded) in the presence of the Rulers. The Ruler with the shortest reign, who is not nominated as a candidate for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong or Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong, is appointed to assist the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal in counting the ballots. During the election, each Ruler receives a ballot bearing the name of one candidate and is asked to indicate whether that candidate is suitable to serve as Yang di-Pertuan Agong. The nominee must secure at least five votes before being offered the post by the presiding Ruler. If the nominee declines or fails to secure enough votes, the process continues with the next most senior Ruler on the list. The election concludes only after a nominee accepts the appointment. The Conference of Rulers then formally declares the Ruler as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who will serve for a five-year term. His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the current King of Malaysia, was sworn in as the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Jan 31, 2024, following the 263rd (Special) Meeting of the Conference of Rulers in October 2023. His Majesty's installation ceremony took place on July 20, 2024. This marks the second time a Johor Ruler has been installed as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Sultan Ibrahim's father, Almarhum Sultan Iskandar Sultan Ismail, had reigned as the eighth Yang di-Pertuan Agong from 1984 to 1989.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Heidi Klum looks fabulous at 51 as she flaunts figure in TINY string bikini
Heidi Klum used Instagram to share a new bikini-clad photo with her 12.5 million followers on Friday. The 51-year-old mother-of-four bared her washboard abs in a black and white two-piece swimsuit while standing near a large pool. Klum — who attended the American Music Awards with her 19-year-old son Henry — wrote in the caption, '86 *F ☀️ Los Angeles.' The German supermodel will celebrate her 52nd birthday on June 1, but looks years younger thanks to a healthy, active lifestyle. In addition to Henry, she shares son Johan, 18, and daughter Lou, 15, with ex-husband Seal. The 62-year-old British singer also helped her raise 21-year-old daughter Leni, who she has from a previous relationship. Heidi was married to musician Seal from 2005 until 2014. She is now married to Tokio Hotel music artist Tom Kaulitz, who is 35. Ahead of her 50th birthday two years ago, the blonde bombshell told Entertainment Tonight, 'To be honest, I don't let this number change my path or what I do. It is, for me, just a number, you know?' She added, 'Because I don't feel 50, internally. I mean, sometimes I look in the mirror and I'm like: "Oh yeah, I am 50." But internally, I feel like I'm 25.' Heidi, who is also known for judging America's Got Talent in addition to modeling, gushed at the time: 'I'm full of energy. My husband is 33 and I know I have more energy than him!' She noted that 'the birthday doesn't change anything for me. My passions are the same passions — I love to travel and be there for my family.' The Germany's Next Top Model host takes fitness and diet seriously to maintain her figure. In a 2021 interview with Body and Soul she said, 'I try to eat super healthy. We eat at like 6 to 6:30pm, [and having] home-cooked food, knowing what you're eating is super important. 'I love healthy food; I don't really eat much junk. I like to be fit and I like to feel fit. I know that when I gained a little bit [of weight]... I felt sluggish. I was like, "No, I have to get back into shape."' Klum and Kaulitz, who is also German, got engaged after only one year of dating. They tied the knot in a private ceremony on February 22, 2019, exchanging vows on a luxury yacht. The catwalk favorite often shares outtakes from her life with her husband on social media. And the pair have been known to frequent nude beaches while vacationing outside of the states. Last summer the former Victoria's Secret Angel called her choice to go without a top in St. Barts 'no big deal.' She told that she 'grew up with a lot of nudity' and encourages others to strip off on the beach. 'Even though I am American, I'm also very much European, so I grew up with a lot of nudity on the beach,' the multihyphenate explained. 'So for me, this would be no big deal. Plus I was on a French island, and if you look around, most girls are topless, so it's just a very common thing,' Heidi emphasized.
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
I tested 16 cars in a day – there was only one that scored a perfect 10
Driving has always been a way for my mind to relax. I love learning a car and working out where it's strong and where it isn't. So, you can imagine I jumped at the chance to spend a whole day driving a variety of cars at The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)'s annual test day. Over the course of seven and a half hours I drove a total of 16 cars from city cars to super cars, from classics to SUVs. Driving some of these beauties truly brightened up what was a rather dull and overcast day. I've marked all the cars with a score out of 10 – with one hitting full marks. I've marked every single one I tested out of 10 – scroll down to find which vehicle hit the perfect 10. The Leapmotor is one of the cheapest electric cars on sale in the UK at the moment. It's a dinky entry into the continuously expanding electric car market. Just like the Skoda, I kept seeing fellow journalists leaping in and out of them, making them one of the two most popular cars on the day, although this could be to do with the fact there were three of them…. Nevertheless, people were queuing up and so I queued with them. On board, it was easy to see why it was so cheap for today's money, but it did at least feel solid. Driving, it's not a Porsche Taycan, but the lack of power meant you needn't worry about approaching a bend too quickly. As you would expect, physics meant it was nimble and easy to manoeuvre. One slight curiosity was the tyres had a cliff of grip, in that once you reached a certain point, the grip disappeared completely without much warning. However, when you're not going very quickly, this doesn't matter so much. Would I buy one? No. I would spend the money on a good second hand petrol car instead which was bigger, more spritely, and could go further. The Leapmotor is more of a left field third or fourth car rather than someone's primary mode of transport. If you're limited to the city, a motorbike or low mileage second hand city car from a bigger, well-known brand is probably a better bet. Speaking of bigger brands – Audi! The German brand was present with personal four-ringed favourite Audi e-Tron GT. I drove one of these last year – because Prince William has one – and found it's steering to be a revelation. Fortunately, the same characteristics had passed into the Launch Edition of the S5 saloon that came with a tasty petrol powerplant. This car, like it's electric cousin, isn't designed for track days or city driving, but storming along the autobahn at…speeds. Still, on Millbrook's alpine handling course it twisted and turned with alacrity and poise. It rode the course's bumps admirably and I felt it would probably appeal to people who both spent their time on motorways and also just like driving in general. A good effort. The Seal, from Chinese company BYD, is one of a new wave of Chinese cars looking to take on the likes of BMW, Audi, Mercedes, and Porsche at the executive car game. The Seal is part of that arsenal and on the basis of my albeit short time with it, the signs are good. The car is powerful sure, but there's more to it than that. Like almost every other posh car currently on sale in the UK at the moment, it comes with a wall of touch screens. Even though I'm not a personal fan of touch screens replacing buttons, the ones in the Seal were intuitive and easy to use. Once on the move, the ride was refined, the car grippy, and a doddle to drive. Would I have preferred more steering feel? Yes, but that's not the point. The point is that these cars are a serious competitor to European big brands who have dominated this space for decades. Let's see what comes next. I've already touched on the Rocketeer MX5 for another article in the Mirror's motoring section, but writing about it again is hardly a hardship when I have such a soft spot for cars like this. I love restomods, they take a beautiful classic car and give it the convenience (and sometimes power) of a modern car. The Rocketeer MX5 takes a 1990s B-road hero and gives it a fresh six-cylinder powerplant. I was so excited to drive this MX5, it was the first car I drove after the driver's briefing in the morning. Being a convertible, you can revel in that six-cylinder engine note and short-throw gearbox so much more. It's small, it's nimble, it's powerful, it can be made to be as bespoke as you want. It's not mass-market but that's not the point, it's the car industry letting it's hair down, and that can only be a good thing in a market where the public mainly wants SUVs. That isn't to say the big boys from bigger brands can't have a little fan as well. Ford is one of the best at this. They've taken their Ford Mustang electric car and given it some of World Rally Championship treatment. The original car has been given more power, different tyres, different interior, a few more driving modes, and a changed set-up underneath. As a result, this car is nimbler than the vehicle it's based on despite the raised suspension and off-road tyres. I would love to have had the opportunity to take on gravel where it's rally-related modifications would have made it an absolute riot. On tarmac though, it still felt very effective. The Alfa Romeo Junior Ibrida is a baby-SUV. It looks like an SUV, but is actually about the same size as a BMW 1 Series. It's small, petrol, and on this particularly overcast day, very red. I decided to test drive it after following one whilst testing another car. Taking the wheel myself, it was clear why the other pilot had decided to do two laps of the alpine course and not just the one. It was simply plain fun, felt light on its feet, had good steering feel, but never felt like it ran out of grip. I wouldn't necessarily buy it as the boot was a bit too small and it could do with being a few centimetres closer to the ground. But there will be people out there who will be taken with t his small hot-ish hatchback. A car I would most certainly recommend you buy if you have the money is the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio. A rival to the BYD Seal and Audi S5 above, this would be my pick of the three by far. A powerful six-cylinder engine, rear wheel drive, electric car like throttle response, and Italian charm, what's not to like? I hypermiled one of these from London to Edinburgh and back last year and having the opportunity to not worry about MPG and just enjoy one of Alfa's greatest hits was so liberating. Yes, the German and Chinese cars probably make better financial sense, but there's a charm to the Giulia. It's not naughty, but it's the alternative A24 choice. Some of it might not make sense, but it's not afraid to be open about what it is. It's a four-door Italian stallion of a car that is quite serious, but also very endearing in the way only Alfa Romeos can be. If the Alfa Romeo Giulia is a car you buy with your head, then the Mercedes is a car you buy if you've just won the lottery. At over £100,000, I think this may have been one of the most expensive cars on display. So expensive and precious were the AMG GTs on display that someone from Mercedes came with me as we wound our way around the alpine course and onto Millbrook's high speed bowl where we were limited to a speed of 100mph for safety's sake. As you would expect from a car of this price and spec, it was very plush inside. Rivals for this car include the Porsche 911 and Aston Martin Vantage. Truth be told, this was one of those cars where you would want more time to truly evaluate it, but then again, the same could be said of all of the cars present. As it was, it was lovely experience. The Mini Aceman is a family SUV, the best way to think of it is to see it as an electric version of Mini's already relatively popular Countryman that we're familiar with. What has the Aceman got going for it when you've got 20-30 minutes? Well, it's got short overhangs front and rear that should help with parking and comes with MINI's new interior styling. This interior includes BMW's new chunky steering wheel that also features in the BMW 1 Series. On the road, the MINI is actually really rather fun, keeping up gamely with much sportier cars ahead of it. You wouldn't take it on a track day, but it will hold its own. One slight fly in the ointment was the fact that music kept playing every time I touched the throttle. Interesting on first listen, but after a few weeks and you might start looking for the off switch. Ah yes, the famous BMW 1 Series. For over 10 years, the baby BMW was a rear-wheel drive hatchback. Now, the car is front-wheel drive instead. Despite the change, the car has continued to sell in large numbers and the one we had available had BMW's latest design styling. With a big boot and big seats, the 1 Series makes for an ideal family car on paper, that is if that family doesn't want an SUV. It's not too big either which should help with parking and has very light steering which will make things even easier. On the twists and turns of the alpine course, it was flat, undramatic, and capable as most BMWs often are. The interior is plush, posh, and comfortable, although the chunky and thick steering wheel wasn't to my taste, it probably wouldn't be a purchase defining matter. Another car I was reunited with was the Honda Civic Type R. Considered one of the most effective hot hatchbacks of the modern era, this car has won a significant number of motoring awards. When you get behind the wheel, it's easy to see why. The handling is taught and balanced, the chassis stiff, the gearbox a joy and the engine buzzing with a desire to be let off the leash. What's more, because this is based on a Honda Civic, it's practical too with a big boot, rear seats, and space for family-related objects. It was one of my favourite cars to drive when I had one for a week in 2023, and that assessment hasn't really changed 18 months on. The Hyundai Inster is a curious little car, and not just because its name sounds like slang for a popular social media network (guess which one). It's interesting because it's got early-2000s Fiat 500 vibes about it. When that car was launched, it was lauded for its cool looks, funky interior, charming handling, and small size. These are all characteristics I found in the Hyundai Inster. It's small-ish, it's got memorable aesthetics, a brave interior, and it handles well. Unlike something like the Leapmotor, this feels like it's vying to be somebody's only car, something to rival the Ford Fiestas and VW Polos of this world. Yes, being electric, you might be less likely to take it on incredibly long road trips, but if the UK's charging infrastructure improves, then why not? One car which isn't mass-market is the Alpine A110R. This was one of my favourite cars of the entire day. Just like its Austrian comparator, the Alpine has stiff suspension, a big wing, and you're strapped into it using a four-point racing harness. This is a car through which you feel everything. There's no insulation here, you are flooded with so much information you giggle. It's a raw, enjoyable, thrilling place to be, even when you're pootling out of the carpark. Get going and once everything has warmed up, it is confidence inspiring. You feel alive and happy and confident. It's a car that needs to be worked, it doesn't give you pace on a plate, you have to work for it. What this all means is that when the car is ready, and you are too, it is incredible. Specialised as this car might be, it's incredible. The Ford Explorer is the blue oval's latest attempt at dialling into the electric SUV market. The Explorer is a large and practical box, but a comfortable and well accomplished box, however. On the road it corners flat, comfortably, and grips well. Meanwhile, the interior screens are swift and easy to use and it's got a big boot too. One slight gripe I had however, was the fact there wasn't much leg support in the seats which mean you slid about a bit if you put a bit too much angle into the steering at the wrong moment. The car still felt stuck to the road, but you didn't feel part of the seat. The MG S5 EV is MG's attempt at electric SUV, something the Anglo-Chinese company has become rather good at in recent years. Their latest car is a continuation of that success with a decent range, big boot, and not entirely unforgettable handling. The important thing here is that cars like this are not about the handling necessarily, they're about taking your loved ones from point A to point B safely and without drama. The same applies to the Ford above, they're about making you feel safe and give you plenty of practicality for your money. My only big criticism is that big cars like this need bigger ranges, maybe of up to 400 miles, and more charging facilities. The crowning jewel of the day was the Skoda Felicia convertible. Produced from between 1959 and 1964, I wasn't originally going to drive it. But then I saw others coming back from their drives with massive smiles on their faces. The first thing I was told was that to start it one had to pull out the choke to get it started. The second was just plain strange. Normally in a manual car, first gear is ahead to the left, second is direct behind, third is ahead to the right, fourth behind that and firth ahead to the right etc. In the Skoda, it was literally the opposite. First was where fifth would be, second where sixth lives. In short, instead of going from left to right along the gearbox. On the road, the Skoda was practically charming in the way only cars of a certain age can be. I came back as all the others had, with a massive smile on my face, bobble hat still intact. So, you drive 16 cars and have to decide which one is the best. In truth, there are very few cars here that you can directly compare with the other. You can't compare the MX5 with the Ford or the Mercedes with the MG for example. So, on a purely objective perspective it's hard. But the car which was the most memorable from the day was the Skoda with it's curious gearbox, blue paintwork, a novel driving dynamics.
